Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku

“Otakus and Romance”

As we grow up, each of us develops our own favorite hobbies, interests, or perhaps even some hidden guilty pleasures. While not everyone is comfortable admitting to them, these aspects are a part of our society and how we live. In the anime series Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku, the bar is set high when it comes to portraying the otaku culture and delving into the lives of nerdy individuals. Prepare to enter a world where office romance, otaku enthusiasm, and gaming culture combine to create an unforgettable experience!

Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku (Wotaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii) is a Japanese anime series based on the manga of the same name. A-1 Pictures was in charge of bringing it to life, and its producers included Aniplex, Fuji Television, Ichijinsha, Dentsu, Christmas Holly, and Kanetsu Investment.

The series aired from the 13th of April until the 22nd of June, in spring 2018, on Fuji Television and was also streamed on Amazon Prime Video. Yoshimasa Hiraike directed the series and also handled the series composition, while Takahiro Yasuda designed the characters and Akimitsu Honma composed the music.

It consists of 11 episodes, each with a runtime of approximately 22 minutes. Based on a web manga of the same name, the genres include romance, and its themes revolve around an adult cast, otaku culture, and the workplace. The series is rated PG-13, suitable for viewers aged 13 or older.

In addition to the anime, three original video animations (OVAs) were released. The first OVA, titled "It Appeared Suddenly=Love," was released on the 29th of March 2019, along with the seventh volume of the manga. On February 26, 2021, Lapin Track released the second OVA, which coincided with the publication of the tenth volume of the manga. Lastly, the third OVA was released on October 14, 2021, in conjunction with the release of the eleventh and final volume of the manga.

On April 17, 2014, Fujita Wotakoi made his debut on Pixiv with the manga. It was later serialized on the digital manga service Comic Pool from November 6, 2015, until July 16, 2021. From the 30th of April 2015 to the 14th of October 2021, Ichijinsha published it and collected it into eleven tankobon volumes. Kodansha USA acquired the English license for the manga in North America.

They released it in a two-volume edition, combining two of the original Japanese volumes into each English volume. The only exception is the 11th volume, which was released as a standalone volume labeled as volume 6 in English, as it serves as the final volume of the series.

The story follows Narumi Momose, an energetic girl who oversleeps and is late for her first day at a new office. Despite her determination to keep her otaku and fujoshi (female fans of boys' love) interests a secret, she encounters her old middle school friend, Hirotaka Nifuji, on her way there.

No matter her attempts to maintain her cover, he casually brings up the upcoming Summer Comiket, exposing her secret. Fortunately, the only witnesses to this revelation, Hanako Koyanagi and Tarou Kabakura, also happened to be otaku themselves. Later that night, Narumi and Hirotaka decide to go out for drinks to reconnect after being apart for so long.

During their conversation, she shares her frustration about her previous boyfriend, who broke up with her because he couldn't accept her fujoshi interests. In response, Hirotaka suggests that she should consider dating someone who shares her otaku lifestyle, specifically himself. He promises to always be there for her, supporting her in both real life and even in their virtual adventures, such as farming for rare items in Monster Hunter. Overwhelmed by his proposal, she agrees without hesitation. And so, the two otaku embark on their adorable and slightly awkward journey of romance.

The anime focuses on two relationships between otaku couples. It provides glimpses into their everyday lives, showcasing how they navigate their work environments, support each other, and, most importantly, express their love for one another. These glimpses of their relationships are incredibly adorable and heartwarming, offering a delightful viewing experience.

The series also incorporates a light-hearted comedy element, which complements the overall setting and themes of the show, creating a well-balanced and enjoyable atmosphere. Wotakoi also excels in its portrayal of the otaku culture, offering a realistic depiction of the highs and lows of being an adult. They skillfully incorporate references to popular video games and anime, such as Monster Hunter, Mario Kart, and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, adding an extra layer of enjoyment for fans of these franchises.

One notable aspect that sets Wotakoi apart from many recent romantic comedies is its departure from the typical high school setting. While high school settings have their own charm, they have been frequently used in recent anime to the point of saturation. This show refreshingly opts for a more mature setting, allowing for a romance that follows its own set of rules and explores the dynamics of adult relationships, which I found to be a huge breath of fresh air. This choice adds depth and uniqueness to the show, providing a welcome change from the abundance of high school rom-coms.

The main characters in Wotakoi each have their own unique characteristics and interests, which adds depth to their personalities. Hirotaka, in particular, is highly regarded as being incredibly cute, leaving a strong impression on viewers. The relationships between the main characters gradually develop as they spend more time together, and witnessing them walk this path is a thrill.

The occasional conflicts and arguments between Hanako and Tarou add an extra layer of realism and dynamics to their interactions too. Another one of the outstanding qualities of this anime is its wholesomeness. It avoids forced drama, unnecessary love triangles, frustrating misunderstandings, and excessive angst that often plague romantic comedies. Instead, it focuses on delivering a pure and heartwarming romance that can uplift your mood and provide a sense of joy, especially after a tough day.

The art and animation department is brilliantly done in Watakoi. The production quality itself is very vibrant, with colorful character designs and backgrounds. The character designs are super distinct, each donning unique facial expressions as well. Character reactions are so well portrayed that they do a good deal of the comedy on their own, especially whenever Narumi reacts in exaggerated manners.

If you’re a sucker for anime and video game references like me, you’ll be at home here; there’s even an episode where the cast is adapted into an RPG setting with very gimmicky themes that will bring forth nostalgia. Finally, do not expect fan service here: the character dialogues do most of the talking and deliver in quite harmless ways. This is simply high-quality entertainment, especially if you’re an adult yourself. Narumi and Hanako excel at bringing out the best in others through their human personalities, and I’m all for it.

The opening theme, "Fiction," by Sumika, and the first and second ending themes, "Kimi no Tonari" (Next to You) and "Ashita mo Mata" (Tomorrow Too), respectively, are performed by halca. All these themes are fairly enjoyable and leave a lasting impression. Props to the opening for being particularly creative.

The way the characters move with the camera angles and the smooth transitions between scenes are visually impressive too. The soundtrack is well done and effectively captures the tone and atmosphere of the series, but it isn’t exactly groundbreaking either. The voice acting is of high quality, though! The voice actors did an excellent job in their respective roles, bringing the characters to life with their performances. You might as well wonder what this anime would be without the amazing VAs.

The story of Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku was engaging, with excellent romance and well-executed comedy. It successfully does what it intended to do and captivates its audience masterfully within just 11 episodes. The characters were likable in their own unique ways, the visuals were surprisingly impressive, and the soundtrack was beautiful enough for the show.

This is a better and more well-thought-out romantic comedy anime compared to series like Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san and 3D Kanojo Real Girl. Being Otakus is not something that’s accepted positively in most places and is often looked down upon in our society. However, Wotakoi truly brought this culture to light in a positive way.

While it may not be my personal favorite rom-com series, it was undeniably a fantastic one. If you're looking for a great romantic comedy anime that realistically explores the Otaku culture, then I highly recommend this with all my heart. This is one show that truly deserves more love and attention!